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Newcastle Central station to benefit from an £8.6m investment

28 November 2011

Rail passengers in Newcastle are set to benefit from a multi-million pound investment to transform the station.

Newcastle Central station concourse

The investment is part of a £100m station improvement initiative developed by the Department for Transport in partnership with ourselves, the Association of Train Operating Companies and the Office for Rail Regulation, launched earlier this year to improve facilities for passengers without increasing the burden on the taxpayer.

Improvements

Plans for Newcastle Central station include:

a range of shops

improved waiting rooms and toilets

better signage

alterations to the existing bridge

new lifts and escalators

new glazed canopies to increase natural light

Phil Verster, our route managing director for London North Eastern, said: “Newcastle station is an incredibly busy and important transport hub for the north east. These improvements will help passengers to get the best from the listed building. Significantly, the finished station will also give a better first impression to visitors to the city.

“We are working closely with the council and local business leaders to make sure our plans complement the city scheme to improve the area outside the station.”

Tim Hedley-Jones, stations and property director for East Coast, which manages the station, said: “Newcastle is one of the main stations along our route and East Coast welcomes today’s news, which will see significant improvements to some of its key facilities. Once completed, the changes will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for our customers, whilst giving staff a better working environment.”

The station scheme is being developed in partnership with NE1 and Newcastle City Council who are seeking funds to improve the area outside the station for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and visitors to the city and help kick-start the economic regeneration of the area. The Council and businesses in the city centre will also be investing in the project.

How to apply for a share of the station improvement fund

Train operators, local authorities and other third parties are encouraged to submit an application for a share of the funding.

Proposals to improve stations must provide a financial return over and above project costs and be complete by 31 March 2014. There is no cap on the maximum value of the proposals, which can be up to the remaining value of the £100m.

Proposals will be assessed by a panel including the Department for Transport, the Association of Train Operating Companies and ourselves. Successful proposals will benefit from one of our sponsors to help secure the necessary consents and support effective delivery.